The pink double-decker buses of I Love Rome, operated by tour company Gray Line, follow a fixed route through Rome, with 8 stops where you can hop on and off as often as you like. The full loop takes about 100 minutes, with a bus arriving every 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the ticket type, passes are valid for a single loop, one day, or up to 72 hours.

I Love Rome runs a single route, known as the Rosa Route, named after the eye-catching pink paint job on its double-decker buses. The bus follows a fixed loop past the city's major sights: from Termini station via the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colosseum, and Circo Massimo to the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. The route covers 8 stops in total, and at each one your ticket lets you get off as often as you like, take your time at a sight, and continue on the next bus.

A full loop without getting off takes about 100 minutes. In practice, buses run every 15 to 20 minutes, so wait times at any stop stay short. Onboard, a recorded audio commentary plays in 12 languages, including German, through headphone jacks at your seat, plus a dedicated kids' audio commentary in English and Italian.

The basic idea: buy one ticket, get on at any stop, and explore the city at your own pace. If you just want a general overview, pick the single-ride pass and stay seated for the full loop. If you have more time, get off at several stops and combine the bus ride with walks to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, or Campo de' Fiori, all within walking distance of the Vatican stop.

What You'll See Along the Route

Colosseum – The route runs right past the Colosseum, with the Roman Forum and the Palatine also within walking distance from here.
Vatican – St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Castel Sant'Angelo are all reachable on foot from Stop 6, all close to each other.
Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain – Two stops, Piazza di Spagna and Barberini, both sit within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, just a few minutes apart.
Circo Massimo & Bocca della Verità – The ancient chariot racing track and the famous Mouth of Truth stone mask sit right at Stop 4, a short walk from the Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill.

Tickets & Prices

I Love Rome sells several ticket tiers with different validity periods. Apart from the single-ride pass, all tiers include full hop-on/hop-off access to the Rosa Route.

Single-ride pass (no stops)from €22.00
Half-day ticket (4 hrs)from €25.00
Day ticketfrom €28.00
24-hour ticketfrom €36.00
48-hour ticketfrom €41.00
72-hour ticketfrom €45.00

The prices above apply to adults buying on-site. Teens pay between €17.00 (single-ride pass) and €34.00 (72-hour ticket) depending on the tier, and children ride free on every tier.

You can buy tickets online in advance or directly from I Love Rome staff at major stops like Termini or the Vatican.

Included & Not Included

Included

  • Hop-on/hop-off ticket for the full Rosa Route with 8 stops
  • Ride on an open-top double-decker bus
  • Recorded audio commentary in 12 languages, including German
  • Dedicated kids' audio commentary in English and Italian
  • Free Wi-Fi on board
  • Mobile app with route map and live bus tracking

Not included

  • Admission to sights along the route (Colosseum, Vatican Museums, dome of St. Peter's Basilica, etc.)
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips
  • Hotel transfer – the route serves fixed stops, no hotel pickup

The Route: All 8 Stops

Stop 1
Termini Railway Station

Via Giovanni Giolitti, 32, in front of Piazza dei Cinquecento. The main starting and ending point of the route, right at the main train station.

Stop 2
Santa Maria Maggiore

Right at one of Rome's four papal basilicas, a short walk from the Colosseum.

Stop 3
Colosseum

Your stop for the Colosseum; from here, Via dei Fori Imperiali continues on to the Roman Forum and the Palatine.

Stop 4
Circo Massimo & Bocca della Verità

Right at the ancient chariot racing track, within walking distance of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and its famous Mouth of Truth stone mask.

Stop 5
Piazza Venezia

A central stop near the Roman Forum, with the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Capitoline Museums all reachable on foot from here.

Stop 6
Vatican

Your stop for St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Castel Sant'Angelo, all within walking distance.

Stop 7
Spanish Steps

Right at the Piazza di Spagna, a short walk from Villa Borghese and the Galleria Borghese.

Stop 8
Piazza Barberini & Trevi Fountain

The last stop before heading back to Termini, within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain and the Triton Fountain on Piazza Barberini.

Buses run from 8:30 AM to 5:40 PM (last departure from Termini) between November and March, and from 8:30 AM to 6:40 PM between April and early November.

Operating Hours

Mon – Sun from 8:30 AM

Tips for Your Ride

Pick Your Ticket Tier by Trip Length

For a short 1–2 day trip, a day or 24-hour ticket gives you a good overview. For 3 or more days in Rome, the 72-hour ticket pays off quickly.

Board Early for Open Seats

The open seats on the upper deck fill up fast. Board as early in the morning as you can, before the buses fill up around midday.

Ask About Free Walking Tours on Board

From stops 4, 5, and 6, on-board staff offer additional guided walking tours. Just ask when you board whether one is starting soon.

Use Your First Ride to Get Oriented

Stay seated through the full loop on your first ride. That gives you an overview of the whole city in about 100 minutes, before you get off at the stops that interest you most.

Boarding & Stops

Treffpunkt: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 32, 00185 Rome RM (Stop 1 – Termini)

You can board at any of the 8 stops; no fixed meeting point is required. The main hub is Stop 1, right at Termini station, Piazza dei Cinquecento.

Metro A, B Termini
Tram 5, 14 Termini
Bus 30+ bus lines Termini

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Frequently Asked Questions About the I Love Rome City Tour

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